Public Comment

Principles for Significant Community Benefits

Kate Harrison
Friday June 12, 2015 - 03:02:00 PM

• Benefits based on 1) a transparent analysis of a reasonable rate of return based on a pro-forma (a financial assessment by the developer) and 2) third party evaluation of the above that reasonably provides some of the increased value to the city. 

• Mitigations for loss of onsite non-profit and cultural amenities and payment of existing housing, art and other mitigation fees are paid for separately, not using community benefits funds. 

• 1% arts fee applied across the board, including buildings in downtown and built by the University, but not to be considered a community benefit. (Existing amenities to be taken care of as a mitigation instead). This is a very common fee in other cities. 

• Affordable housing at 20%-30% (including the 10% in current code for people at very low 50% income level). Inclusionary housing to be provided in the buildings. 

• Housing fees charged at the higher ownership, rather than rental, rate, if a developer requests that a condo overlay map while requesting rental units (signaling they will probably be converted later). This would increase the benefits on just Harold Way by nearly $8.6 million for affordable housing. 

• Eliminate the credit for project labor agreements. The recommended 5% proposal uses too much of the available funding. The City’s own consultant’s report on last year’s Measure R indicated that a PLA adds only about 2% to project costs. 

• Preserve the Campanile view of Bay and bridge towers, requiring setbacks and possibly reduction in height. 

• Contribute to transportation mitigations discussed in Downtown Plan EIR. These projects rely on the Downtown Plan EIR for approval. They should be contributing to the mitigations listed in the Downtown Plan EIR. 

• Contribute to open space/street amenities as called for in SOSIP plan. A good example is making Center Street between Shattuck and Oxford a pedestrian street. 

• Significant progress toward state net zero energy standards to be in place in 2020. 


This statement is endorsed by the Sustainable Berkeley Coalition Benefits Committee and the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Coordinating Committee.